HCHSA NEWSLETTER
NATIONAL BATTLE OF THE BANDS, HOUSTON SPORTS HALL OF FAME, HOUSTON SPORTS AWARDS, ABILITIES IN MOTION AND MORE! IN THIS ISSUE
NATIONAL BATTLE OF THE BANDS
NRG STADIUM | AUGUST 25, 2024
The 2024 National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB) once again showcased the spirited and passionate performances of eight of the best Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) marching bands. NRG Stadium welcomed thousands of fans from across the nation to fill the stands and celebrate HBCU culture and pride.
2024 marked a special occasion for the NBOTB as it honored the 10th anniversary of the event and its 6th year in Houston. This year, $400,000 was donated in scholarships, 800 meals were served to feed the homeless, and over 40 HBCUs participated in the college fair. Annually, the NBOTB generates nearly $20 million in economic impact for Houston and Harris County, helping support local businesses and entrepreneurs.
The Sports Authority Foundation culminated a yearlong celebration of its 2024 Houston Lance Berkman, Cynthia Cooper, and Warren Moon all received their Hall of Fame rings Promenade.
As part of the festivities, each Hall of Famer received their Hall of Fame rings, designed diamond expert in the world, Cuellar beautifully depicts each Hall of Famer’s career with presenting each Hall of Famer with their ring, sharing the unique design and special showcased his unique paintings representing each 2024 Hall of Famer as he’s done for with their handprint, allowing each of them to become part of his work.
(LEFT TO RIGHT, CLOCKWISE): 2024 HALL OF FAME RINGS, CYNTHIA COOPER SIGNING AUTOGRAPHED ARTIST OPIE OTTERSTAD, WARREN MOON SIGNING AUTOGRAPHED ITEMS, MOON’S RING REACTION,
Houston Sports Hall of Fame class on Wednesday, August 14, as rings and had their plaques unveiled on the Walk of Fame at the GreenStreet designed by Fred Cuellar, Founder & CEO of Diamond Cutters International. As the top with a diamond-encrusted, once-in-a-lifetime ring. Today, Cuellar had the honor of meaning behind each one. Opie Otterstad, the official Hall of Fame artist also for all the previous Hall of Fame classes before. Each Hall of Famer signed their painting
AUTOGRAPHED ITEMS, LANCE BERKMAN BEING INTERVIEWED BY MEDIA, 2024 HALL OF FAMERS WITH REACTION, COOPER’S RING REACTION, AND BERKMAN’S RING REACTION.
CLASS OF 2025
The Sports Authority Foundation is thrilled to welcome three new members to the Houston Sports Hall of Fame! Click the links below and see how we surprised each new member with the news. Chancellor, Ware, and Houston will be officially inducted at a celebration in January.
VAN CHANCELLOR
ANDRE WARE
KENNY HOUSTON
The HCHSA’s Buy Houston, By Houston supplier diversity program, welcomed over 150 local business owners to a VIP reception and provided exciting updates on upcoming opportunities on the FIFA World Cup 26 Houston™.
Want to get involved? Click HERE!
The Houston Sports Awards are back...but this time around, they will look a little different.
The Sports Authority Foundation will once again honor the best and brightest of the Houston sports scene, both on and off the field. However, instead of awards being handed out in one night in front of a live audience, the 2025 edition of the Houston Sports Awards will be announced over a week in January in a largely digitally driven campaign and the trophies will be delivered to each winner.
Click HERE to learn more about this year’s nominees!
Abilities In Motion hosted its 2024 Adapted Sports Day at Weekley Family YMCA. This event, in partnership between the Sports Authority Foundation and TIRR Memorial Hermann, allowed over 50 youth and adults with physical disabilities to participate in a variety of adapted sports. Sports stations include Cornhole, Pickleball, and Recumbent Cycling, taught by former Paralympian athletes Pam Fontaine, Gina McWilliams, and Jermell Pennie.
Abilities in Motion’s mission is to continue to provide opportunities in the region for all people with physical disabilities to gain access to participate in sports, ultimately working towards making Houston the most adaptive sports-friendly destination in the world. A special thank you to HEB, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Regions Bank, and TIRR Memorial Hermann for helping make the 2024 Abilities in Motion Day a memorable event!
RECUMBENT CYCLING STATION, PARTICIPANT PLAYING AT THE CORNHOLE STATION, VOLUNTEER PLAYING CORNHOLE WITH PARTICIPANTS, PARTICIPANT PLAYING CORNHOLE.
2024 LOMBARDI AWARD
The 2024 Lombardi Award took place on Wednesday, December 11, at the Hilton Americas in downtown Houston. Each year, the award celebrates the nation’s most outstanding college football lineman, recognizing not only exceptional per formance and ability but also the character and discipline championed by Vince Lombardi throughout his legendary career.
This year, University of Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. won the 2024 Lom bardi Award. Banks was one of four finalists for the award alongside Will Campbell, Louisiana State University; Abdul Carter, Penn State University; and Kyle Kennard, University of South Carolina.
Following the wishes of the Lombardi family, net proceeds from the event are ded icated to supporting cancer research and families/patients battling cancer.
PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE STARTING LEFT TO RIGHT): 2024 LOMBARDI AWARD WINNER, KELVIN VISITING TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL, DINNER AND PRESENTATION AT THE HILTON
Hilton nation’s perVince LomCampbell, Kennard, dedAWARD
KELVIN BANKS JR., LOMBARDI AWARD FINALISTS AMERICAS, AWARD DINNER FLOWERS.
WELCOME TO THE TEAM
The HCHSA welcomes Ryan Walsh, the new HCHSA Chief Executive Officer, and Juan Garcia, the new HCHSA Chairman of the Board to the HCHSA team.
RYAN
WALSH
HCHSA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
“I’m excited and humbled by this incredible opportunity to lead the HCHSA. As I get started in this new role, I look forward to fostering community engagement, working with our partners at the city, county, and our professional sports teams, and finding ways to increase the HCHSA’s oversight and contributions to the development and maintenance of our world-class sports facilities. Together, we’ll continue to elevate our region in the sports world. I’m ready to get to work.”
JUAN GARCIA
HCHSA
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
“I am excited for this opportunity to serve as Chairman of the Harris County - Houston Sports Authority. I would like to thank Mayor Whitmire and Harris County leadership for entrusting me with guiding this organization into what we all feel is a critical stretch where our region will be on the world stage for everyone to see as the FIFA World Cup comes to town in 2026.”
